Page 17 - Demo

August 2025 | Phonebox Magazine 17August 2025the MKCC legal team who would have the expertise on this, and if legal proceedings did go ahead, it wouldn%u2019t be a quick fi x. The Implementation officer from MKCC is on board with the possibility. Debbie said that it was something that MKCC would consider, and not something that would defi nitely go ahead. Jane explained that she had asked the contractors if they could use the bricks and manpower currently used to carry on building new houses to be used to fi nish the community centreDavid Tyler asked if we could ask for MKCC to investigate clawing back interest on the 106 monies for the period. Seven years is a long time, and threatening them with fi nancial implications is more valid than legal action. Jane Brushwood explained that there was a possibility that MKCC had put the ball into OTC%u2019s court at this point, as legal action can stop any work until the decision is made, so will this make things worse? David Tyler asked that they propose to ask MKCC what interest is owed on the 106 monies. Colin thought that another proposal should be to go back to MKCC with the legal option as well, in that we need to fight this on as many fronts as possible. Chris Tennant then interjected that while David%u2019s proposal was a point well-made, Section 106 money was already index-linked by the retail price index, so it is increased annually. Jane pointed out that the 106 money was something coming anyway, index-linked, but there would still be a valid argument to ask for interest over this period. This was a very interesting debate, and ultimately it was agreed that OTC would propose David%u2019s proposal%u2026 %u2018What about my proposal?%u2019 interjected Colin%u2026 %u2018Yes, we do them one at a time, Colin%u2019, came the clerk%u2019s reply. David%u2019s proposal was that ca we instruct MKCC on our behalf to ask what interest has accrued over the last seven years, and can we invoice for it every year until completion? This was agreed unanimously. Colin%u2019s proposal was that a legal action could be asked for by OTC to see if MKCC could give us legal advice on whether this would slow things down or not, and come back to OTC on the matter. It was agreed by the clerk to:1. Ask MKCC to calculate interest owed on the Section 106 funds.2. Explore legal advice on the delay and its implications.Both motions passed.Marketplace Bus Shelter ArtworkA proposal to use %u00a31,500 of Section 106 funds for public artwork was approved, providing a welcome break in tone.Security at the RecSpartan Security%u2019s presence was seen as effective. They provide deterrents and are cost-eff ective as they only charge when called. Colin asked what the results were, which is a tricky question as last year the weather was awful and therefore less problematic. They only come when required and provide a full report, and sometimes bring a dog. Although they have no powers, it is a deterrent, and this was agreed. Although there is an expense, it was agreed that it is a worthwhile use of money for the town.Johnson%u2019s FieldCouncil agreed to ensure Section 106 funds are properly allocated for development compliance.Football Club FacilitiesProgress is slow due to limited grant funding, and Jane explained that it was something of a piecemeal project due to funding. The toilets can be completed, and the rest can be done as and when funding is available. Colin Rodden asked if OTC had set a budget. Yes, replied a slightly weary Jane (it was a long meeting) we saw it months ago. Ah, OK, replied Colin. Thank you.Wellness SessionsIt was agreed to fund community wellness sessions at around %u00a3100 per month. David Chennells asked what budget this would come from, and Jane replied, potentially from the lunch club or community support budget. It was agreed that this was a good idea and will go ahead.Menin Gate WreathResident Nigel Birrell was approved to place a wreath in memory of five fallen Olney servicemen at Ypres. The only discussion was to be sure that it was only fi ve men who were known to have died, as it was important to have their names and not to miss anyone from this. They would check with Chris Roberts of the Royal British Legion, but in principle, it was approved wholeheartedly.Goosey Island AccessPlans to make Goosey Island safer, due to erosion, for public access were approved.Tree Preservation GroupA working group was established, with David Tyler and Colin Rodden appointed. A new MKCC website tracks tree health, which will assist in their eff orts.August MeetingIt was decided there would be no meeting in August unless an urgent matter arises, prompting a brief debate on the definition of %u2018urgent.%u2019 The result of this happily brief discussion was %u2018If any of us think anything is urgent, we will consider a meeting%u2019.With that, the mayor closed the meeting and off we all went home for Horlicks and a welldeserved rest.Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust have published a new business case to set out a compelling economic, environmental, and social case for a new waterway. Designed to link the Grand Union Canal at Milton Keynes to the River Great Ouse at Bedford, the waterway would form a central feature of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor %u2013 one of the UK%u2019s most dynamic development areas.The project promises to enhance local tourism, unlock leisure and active travel opportunities, and provide a missing link in Britain%u2019s historic canal network. Set within a new parkland corridor, the waterway would off er:%u2022 A scenic walking and cycling route to support healthy lifestyles%u2022 Enhanced biodiversity and green space%u2022 Resilience against both fl ooding and drought through 21st-century water management%u2022 Growth potential for the local hospitality and tourism sectorsThe canal also complements planned regional infrastructure, including East West Rail, and the forthcoming Universal Theme Park, expected to draw millions of visitors annually.Simon Clewlow, Chair of the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust, welcomed the publication: %u201cIn the past two years the Trust has been strongly advocating the strategic water management benefi ts of the waterway %u2013 including the ability to move water from wetter parts of the UK to the drier east, supporting climate resilience and fl ood mitigation.%u201dFor more information on the Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway Trust and project, including maps and updates, please visit www.bmkwaterway.org/.A newly released Outline Business Case for the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway confi rms that a proposed 26km canal would off er outstanding value for money, delivering %u00a32.40 in benefi ts for every %u00a31 invested.%u00a3475 million Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Investment